**Google Appoints Nick Fox as Head of Search and Ads Amid Leadership Reshuffle**

In a significant leadership shakeup, Google has announced that Nick Fox, a long-serving executive, will take over as the head of the company’s search and ads division. Fox’s predecessor, Prabhakar Raghavan, who has guided the division since 2018, will transition into the role of Google’s chief technologist. This change comes under the direction of Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai, who shared the news in a recent blog post.

Raghavan, who has dedicated 12 years to leading various teams within Google, will continue to report to Pichai in his new capacity. Pichai expressed his confidence in Raghavan's new role, highlighting that he will be closely collaborating with Google’s top leaders to drive technical excellence within the company. This move is seen as part of Google's strategy to stay competitive in the rapidly evolving artificial intelligence landscape while also facing ongoing antitrust challenges in its core search and ads markets.

Fox, a veteran at Google since 2003, will now head the Knowledge and Information division, overseeing the company’s search, ads, and commerce products. Prior to this new appointment, Fox served as the vice president of product and design for Google’s Assistant product and has extensive experience within the company’s ads business unit. Pichai commended Fox's contributions, noting his pivotal role in shaping Google’s AI product roadmap and his close collaboration with Raghavan over the years.

In another strategic shift, Pichai announced that the team responsible for Google's Gemini app, which focuses on AI direct-to-consumer products, will be integrated into Google DeepMind under the leadership of AI head Demis Hassabis. This restructuring aims to enhance feedback loops and expedite the deployment of new AI models within the Gemini app. Furthermore, the Assistant teams dedicated to devices and home experiences will be moved to the Platforms and Devices unit to ensure closer alignment with the products they support.

This reshuffling is part of Google’s broader efforts to optimize its organizational structure and better position itself in the competitive AI market. By leveraging the expertise of seasoned leaders like Raghavan and Fox, Google aims to maintain its edge in innovation and adaptability in the face of industry challenges.